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Creamy Lemon Cheesecake Bars Recipe with Perfect Shortbread Crust

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These creamy lemon cheesecake bars feature a buttery shortbread crust and a tangy, luscious lemon cheesecake layer. Perfect for any occasion, they are a crowd-pleasing dessert that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • Pinch of salt
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) fresh lemon juice (approximately 2–3 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, softened butter, and a pinch of salt. Mix until the dough comes together and resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Press the shortbread dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Use the back of a spoon or your fingers to smooth it out. Bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Set aside to cool.
  4. While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest, and mix until fully combined.
  5. Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and silky.
  6. Pour the lemon cheesecake filling over the cooled crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. Avoid overbaking—it will finish setting as it cools.
  8. Let the bars cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) before slicing into squares.

Notes

[‘Don’t overmix the shortbread crust and cheesecake filling to avoid a tough crust or dense filling.’, ‘Ensure cream cheese, butter, and eggs are at room temperature for a smoother texture.’, ‘Press the crust evenly into the pan to avoid uneven baking.’, ‘The cheesecake layer should have a slight jiggle when removed from the oven to ensure perfect setting.’, ‘Let the bars chill thoroughly before cutting for clean slices and better presentation.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon cheesecake bars, shortbread crust, creamy dessert, easy dessert recipe, lemon dessert, cheesecake bars

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/creamy-lemon-cheesecake-bars-recipe-with-perfect-shortbread-crust/